[ChrisV]

Originally Posted by samwoo2go

makes sense on the old beater. Any other choice under 5K? I really hate the cherokee look and not sure about Jeep reliability.

Reliability is great. But the most important thing is that you can easily afford to own and repair (or better, do preventative maintenance) on any used vehicle and have a really low TCO (total cost of ownership), and still get the identical use from it.

In the Jeep range, look for the older 4.0 powered Cherokees (there are about 5 differnt bodystyles, from teh really square early ones to the more rounded later ones). But there are decent examples from GM, Ford, Toyota, and Nissan all over. Even teh Isuzu Rodeo can be a good choice in this category.

Personally, in this category I went with the older Range Rovers, as they can be had cheap, are extrememly versatile. But I can do my own repairs and preventative mainteneance to make sure they are reliable. I bought an '88 Range Rover for $800, and put a few hundred into the important bits to make sure it was running all time. Sold it for $800 a yaar later when I decided to upgrade to a '95 County LWB version. Gas mileage was not a concern, as there were no monthly payments, and it only cost me a couple hundred bucks to keep running for the next couple years (and it's still running strong with it's new owner almost a year and a half after I sold it). My current Range Rover is an '01 that cost me less than a new base level Hyundai Accent, and in a year and a half has only cost me $50 in repairs.

Focus more on value for the dollar, as anything used CAN need repairs, but WILL be much cheaper to own, and you can put that extra money into more important things. Make sure the big stuff is handled and you won't have to worry about it stranding you anywhere. Especially if you go with an older Toyota 4Runner or Nissan Pathfinder. Hell, even an older Ford Explorer (with properly inflated tires, of course) can be an excellent, unkillable rig, regardless of their reputation.

[ChrisV]

Another point to consider, below, say, $5k (and especially below $2500), don't shop for a brand, but for condition, maintenence records, and simply whether you like the feel of it. At this age/price range, any brand can be equally reliable, capable or problematic. You're counting on it not being perfect, so you can save money overall (and do NOT try to make it new. Trying to make a used beater/semi-beaer NEW is a losign proposition). But you still want to look at condition (to show how it was treated) maintenance (to show that it doesn't have any hidden issues that won't show up on a PPI), and feel, to make sure you want to live with it.

you're lucky, as in your area you don't have to really deal with rust like the midwest or east coast does. But, some of the more popular brands can be more expensive to buy there due to the fact that they can be in much better condition than you'd find elsewhere.

But stuff like this is all over:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/1622619043.html

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/1614837810.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ctd/1623594335.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/ctd/1620686740.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/1624373584.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/cto/1623993886.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1616275233.html

(that last one is a deal. Buy it for $1500, drop a new trans in it and beat it for years...)

You get the idea. there are a lot of choices out there for cheap that will do the job you need and be financially WAY better than buying a new $30k rig as a beater.

[Schumacher]

What about a CPO LR2?
I6 with Land Rover Terrain response + the cache.

Otherwise, i would go for the CR-V. Honda quality is the best, so are the reliability and the residuals.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by ChrisV

Another point to consider, below, say, $5k (and especially below $2500), don't shop for a brand, but for condition, maintenence records, and simply whether you like the feel of it. At this age/price range, any brand can be equally reliable, capable or problematic. You're counting on it not being perfect, so you can save money overall (and do NOT try to make it new. Trying to make a used beater/semi-beaer NEW is a losign proposition). But you still want to look at condition (to show how it was treated) maintenance (to show that it doesn't have any hidden issues that won't show up on a PPI), and feel, to make sure you want to live with it.

you're lucky, as in your area you don't have to really deal with rust like the midwest or east coast does. But, some of the more popular brands can be more expensive to buy there due to the fact that they can be in much better condition than you'd find elsewhere.

But stuff like this is all over:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/1622619043.html

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/1614837810.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ctd/1623594335.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/ctd/1620686740.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/1624373584.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/cto/1623993886.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1616275233.html

(that last one is a deal. Buy it for $1500, drop a new trans in it and beat it for years...)

You get the idea. there are a lot of choices out there for cheap that will do the job you need and be financially WAY better than buying a new $30k rig as a beater.

Most of those models look REALLY dated which is why I love the Cherokee. I think the look of that car is pretty timeless (like a MB G-wagen). I also like the Discovery II in that price range but always thought the maintenance costs were prohibitively high for those. There are MANY to be had for less than $5K and I live right around the corner from a dealership.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Most of those models look REALLY dated which is why I love the Cherokee. I think the look of that car is pretty timeless (like a MB G-wagen). I also like the Discovery II in that price range but always thought the maintenance costs were prohibitively high for those. There are MANY to be had for less than $5K and I live right around the corner from a dealership.

I had an '03 Disco. Just avoid the ALS. Other than that, cracked heads and headers are pretty common, but not really a whole lot else. Make sure the U joints have been properly maintained as well. Some people had issues with the front driveshaft/diff exploding due to that I believe.

Some electrical issues and a failed rear door actuator were all the problems I had with it and did all the work myself. It was one of my favorite vehicles I've ever owned, definitely my favorite truck. I'm regretting the fact that I got rid of it, and I'll probably be acquiring another one soon.

The only issue I see with the Disco II is its fuel mileage. I averaged about 10-11 around town and 13-15 on the freeway. 13.5 on my trip from SD to Chicago, which was all freeway driving. Other than that, it's a truck's truck. Not focused on frills or compromises. I love it.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

I had an '03 Disco. Just avoid the ALS.

Auto-Leveling Suspension?

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Auto-Leveling Suspension?

No I think it was SLS, self-leveling suspension, I just mistyped it. Anyway, yeah it had hydraulics or air in the rear suspension which was great apparently when it worked. Just like the RR (which had it at all four corners), failure of this system was pretty brutal, and much more common than it should have been. A lot of owners went ahead and retro-fit a more traditional spring setup.

In any case, I want that thing back already.

[ChrisV]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Most of those models look REALLY dated which is why I love the Cherokee.

While true, when it comes to cheap beaters, that should be a non-issue.

I think the look of that car is pretty timeless (like a MB G-wagen). I also like the Discovery II in that price range but always thought the maintenance costs were prohibitively high for those. There are MANY to be had for less than $5K and I live right around the corner from a dealership.

I'd rather have a RR Classic than a Disco. The Discos were built a little cheaper and it shows, especially in auxiliary stuff, like headlights and the like. Not that RRs are the paragons of build quality, but they are more rugged. I loved both my Classics, and would have another one. But even my '01 RR is a great rig, and it's been quite reliable (only $50 in repairs in the last year and a half, outside of tires and battery, which were the originals and made it to 8 years old). Still, a mechanically sound Disco is still a Land Rover and still one of the best offroaders you can buy.

[11Past9]

Fuck crossovers their for pussies. Get a REAL SUV



Save yourself $23000 and actually GET to the mountain, not just to the fucken highway to the mountain.

Crossovers = HAYYYYYYYYYY!!!

[samwoo2go]

lol I like how I am the only one that voted for my original top choice.

Well anyways, I took you guys' advice and am going for a used 4runner. I am looking for a 3rd gen something between 96 and 99 under 200k for around $5k. Auto with 4wd is the only requirement. sound doable?

[ghosthi32]

make sure the gas pedal is ok

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by ghosthi32

make sure the gas pedal is ok

He doesn't have to worry about it. Toyota's hug the corners better then our BMW's.

http://www.toyotasimulator.com/

[Year's_End]

Hyundai Tuscon or GMC Terrain imo.

[Raja Ventureshield]

what about the new honda crosstour?
i like it.